To approve Herefordshire Council’s application to become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

A report to approve Herefordshire Council’s application to become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) was received.

The leader said that the intention would be to sign up as a non-constituent member, and receive an updated report from the chief executive in the New Year which would lay out the council’s experience to date of being a member of the WMCA.  This would provide a basis for a decision for a way forward.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were made:

·         That, as a non-constituent member Herefordshire would retain all its current powers and responsibilities but would gain a voice in the development of policies and projects affecting the economy of the West Midlands region.

·         That non-constituent members were not affected by the existence of a mayor, but that a future report would address this issue as it affected constituent members.

Resolved:

That:

a)         Herefordshire Council applies to become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) at an annual cost of £25k;

b)        the leader of the council, or his nominated substitute, be authorised to represent the council at the WMCA board, and exercise the council’s vote as a non-constituent member; and;

c)         the general overview and scrutiny committee be invited to consider building into their future work programme an appraisal of further devolution options (to include the potential for the council to become a constituent member of WMCA) and report the outcome of their review to inform any future decision of Cabinet.